The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach is sponsored by the Aquatic Capital of America Foundation.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial
Walking into the Poly Natatorium is like entering another older world with its beaming water that reflects off the walls and the echoing cheers that can be heard for miles. This high school pool has become home to many talented swimmers who hold Poly’s traditions and legacy in high regard.
Aside from the chaos of competition, the Natatorium presents a place of calmness that can put the world on pause. Sam Kuo knows both worlds well. The senior record-holding swimmer has an impressive talent for swimming and academics, and after adding his name to the record books at Poly he wants to continue the legacy of Jackrabbits who attended the Naval Academy.
Kuo’s pursuit of competitive swimming began at nine, but his mother, Jenny, didn’t see it coming.
“Honestly, it was all an accident,” she said. “We never thought swimming would be our sport. We never put him on the track to swim.”
Jenny’s decision to have Kuo swim began just wanting to learn all four strokes, but his passion for water was evident at an early age.
“Quite honestly, he was maybe about one year old when we took him to Coronado Lagoon, and he was in the water, and I knew from day one that he was a water baby,” Jenny said.
Transitioning to competitive swimming was never Jenny’s decision. It was a path Kuo chose for himself.
“Well, in fact, when we first started swimming, we were not competitive,” Jenny added. “We never did a swim meet. They were the ones who asked to do swim meets. I never wanted them to.”
Kuo’s journey to being a Poly swimmer started with his first club at Poly’s Natatorium, The Poly Morning Star, under the mentorship of coaches Eddie Kim and Jacky Golison.
“They taught (Kuo) everything they know, every foundation from their strokes” Jenny said.
Kuo reminisced that Poly’s pool was where he learned his backstroke flag pole count. He may have swam thousands of yards at other pools but has always felt that there was no pool like poly saying, “This pool is home to me, this is where I started my swimming career.”
Kuo’s decision to attend Poly was a no-brainer after a year of club swimming.
“I was always leaning towards coming to Poly, but experiencing the campus and the swim team definitely cemented that option,” Kuo said.
“In eighth grade, I talked to him about high school, and he said he wanted to go to Poly,” Jenny added. “I don’t think he would be the person he is today if it wasn’t for Poly.”
Kuo’s initiative to take hold of his decision to attend high school reveals his leadership and decision-making skills.
“Kuo is like the general in the army leading the team,” said teammate Tony Song. “(Kuo’s) the first one in and last one out type of guy.”
Kuo’s leadership and talent is evident among his teammates, and he is recognized by Poly Swim Coach Ishmael Pluton.
“I remember watching him swim and thinking, ‘Oh, he’s really fast,’ and walking him over to see the records on the wall, ‘You might be up there soon,’” Pluton said. “I remember seeing him get really excited about it.”
Kuo is currently part of the Poly boys’ swimming record holder in the 400 and 200 freestyle relay, and Pluton added that Kuo, “works hard no matter what. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him not put his best effort in. As a swimmer and teammate, he is encouraging and an exceptional leader. He is by far one of the best leaders I could ever ask for.”
Kuo’s swimming journey was altered during his junior year when he underwent significant changes with his specialty breaststroke and needed to build himself from the ground up.
“He had a really rough time with his specialty breaststroke,” Jenny said. “Sam is a great kid, really coachable. You could teach him anything, but breaststroke was the first time in his life that it broke down. He had to look inward and teach himself. He would stay in the water every day for 25 min by himself, trying to redo his breaststroke and ask coaches about it. The disappointments that he’s had have motivated him to be more dedicated and disciplined. Seeing him persevere through it all was amazing as his mom. It made him a better swimmer but helped him learn his craft.”
Kuo’s decision to attend the Naval Academy has always been Kuo’s dream since a young age.
“It has always been in the back of my mind, only until freshman year in high school, this is the place I want to be at,” Kuo said.
“I thought he would grow out of this phase, but he never did,” Jenny said. “It has been amazing to see the little boy’s infatuation with military, guns, and tanks for the purpose of service.”
Initially drawn to the Air Force Academy, Kuo dreamed of becoming a pilot but also harbored the aspiration to become a Navy Seal.
“I found out about the Air Force Academy first,” he said. “At the time, I wanted to be a Navy Seal, so I did a little research. I asked my mom, and, lo and behold, there was a Naval Academy.”
After applying for the Air Force Academy and getting accepted, Kuo found that the Naval Academy was the perfect fit for him.
“The Naval Academy fits me more with who I am as a person,” he said and added that he feels that the esteemed institution will help him develop more as a leader.
Kuo plans to further his education and pursue a degree in political science and foreign area studies.
“My motivation was I want to fly and serve a greater cause,” he shared, hoping to create a meaningful impact with this service.
While the rigorous application process presented its own challenges compared to the traditional application, Kuo took hold of it.
“I really didn’t need to remind him, he has taken the reins with this,” Jenny said.
Kuo acknowledges the invaluable support he received from former Poly swimmer Midshipman Third Class Pia Hao during the application process.
Kuo said, “Pia was a motivating source and helped me out with my application,” said along with Second Lieutenant David Moore, a former water polo player, and Ensign Mike Mauai, a former football player, who are all former Poly graduates.
“Their guidance was essential in navigating the complexities of the application process,” Kuo said. “Once a Jackrabbit, always a Jackrabbit.”
Kuo advises those aspiring to follow a similar path, stressing the importance of networking, saying, “Networking really helps with service academy applications. Having a good name in the admission office can make a difference.” He added that the personal development of being a “holistic person” is as crucial as having the qualities of a leader.
It’s clear that Kuo is comfortable with tradition.
Kuo may have swam thousands of yards, but in the end, he follows the path in continuing the legacy of the jackrabbits, and serving his country holds deep meaning for Kuo. He follows the tradition of the Long Beach Poly Graduate like Pia Hao, David Moore, and Mike Mauai, and many other graduates; he upholds the legacy of those who have come before him and many to follow in similar footsteps.
“It means a lot to me that I’m able to continue the legacy of the jackrabbits by serving my country,” he said, embracing the honor that comes with representing his alma mater at the Naval Academy.
